Chapter 14
"Mr. Goolsby, sorry I am late. I needed to pick up our new student, Mr. Anderson. If you will excuse me I need to get to my class. Have a great day Mr. Anderson. Meet me in classroom 206 after school and I will take you home from school, ok?", Kurt said as he turned his eyes to Blaine.
"Okay. Thank you for the ride, Mr. Hummel. My mom and I appreciate the gesture.", Blaine said with a smile.
Kurt nodded and then walked out of the office heading to his first hour class. On his way to class he ran into Nick and Jeff as they were trying to get to their classrooms. "Hey, why aren't you two in class?", Kurt asked curiously.
"We can say the same for you, Kurt.", Nick said.
"Well, I had permission to be late. Dean Goolsby knew that I had to pick up a new student because he didn't have transportation from Lima.", Kurt said.
"Oh, great. You got that new student to accept? The one that Dean Goolsby was upset about on Friday?", Jeff asked.
"Yeah. It took some convincing but he said he would come to Dalton this week and see if it is worth his time.", Kurt said as the second bell rang.
"Shit!", the three said in unison as they ran to their classrooms.
Meanwhile in the office, Blaine is approached by Dean Goolsby as he was handed his class schedule. "I hope you enjoy your time here at Dalton Academy. I should tell you that I follow you on Twitter and YouTube. You have an amazing voice and I want to offer you the chance to become a Warbler. The Warblers are 'Rock Stars' of Dalton Academy. First hour you will meet the Adviser for the Warblers but first you need to go to locker 129 and put your personal items in there. Here is your locker combination.", Dean Goolsby said as he handed him a piece of paper.
"Thank you Dean Goolsby. I will get that taken care of. Is there anything else you need to talk to me about?", Blaine asked.
"No. You are free to go. If you have any problems feel free to contact me, ASAP.", Dean Goolsby said.
"Okay. Thank you.", Blaine said as he walked out the door.
****************************************WelcomeToDalton******************************************
Blaine went to put his personal items in locker 129 and little did he know, his locker was right next to his boyfriends classroom. He looked inside and bit his bottom lip when Kurt bent over to pick up a scarf that fell on the floor. When Kurt stood up straight, he saw a shadow walk away from the door. He shook his head and continued to express his love for scarves to his class.
Blaine stepped into room 212A and said, "Hello. My name is Blaine Anderson. I am a new student at Dalton and Dean Goolsby said I should talk to you about joining the Warblers."
Nick was in shock when he looked up to see Blaine standing in the doorway to his office before he said, "Don't I know you?"
"I don't think so, sir. How would we have met?", Blaine said as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"You look familiar but I can't put my finger on it.", Nick said with a shrug of his shoulders. Nick knew where he had 'met' Blaine but he didn't want to mention Scandals.
Blaine shook his head while he asked, "Can I join the Warblers?"
"I need you to audition and then the Warbler council will vote on it. Is that okay with you?", Nick asked.
"Sounds great. Do you want me to audition now?", Blaine asked.
"Are you ready?", Nick asked.
"I am always ready to sing. Is there anything particular I need to sing or can I use something off the top of my head?", Blaine asked.
"Whatever suits you best.", Nick said with a smile before he continued, "Get prepared and I will tell the boys about the audition."
"Okay. Thank you.", Blaine said with a smile.
"Warblers may I have your attention please. We have a new student here at Dalton and he wants to audition. Have a seat and I will go get him.", Nick said to his class.
Nick went to get Blaine and he started to perform the moment he walked into the room.
Made a wrong turn once or twice Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Miss 'No way, it's all good'
It didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated, look I'm still around
Like you're less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me
The Warblers are swaying back and forth as they hum in the background. Then they decide to harmonize with Blaine for the next verse.
You're so mean (you're so mean) So complicated, Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
When you talk (when you talk)
About yourself. You were wrong.
Change the voices (change the voices)
In your head (in your head)
Make them like you instead.
Look happy, You'll make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I could think of
Chased down all my demons
I've seen you do the same
(Ohh ohhhhhhh)
Like you're less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect
Blaine starts walking around the room and communicating with everyone as he does a little 'Rap' session. He can't help but love all the smiles he is getting.
The whole world's scared, so I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line and we try try try but we try too hard
And it's a waste of my time.
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair
Exchange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that, why do I do that (why do I do that)?
(Yeah! Ooooh!)
Blaine was appreciative when the Warblers started singing the final chorus along with him. It made him feel honored and loved, something only one person has ever made him feel before.
Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me
(Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than less than perfect)
You're perfect, you're perfect to me
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me.
The Warblers jumped up to shake his hand and pat him on the back.
"That was amazing, man.", Hunter said.
"What's your name and where have you been all of our lives?", Trent asked with a smile.
"My name's Blaine Anderson, I transferred from McKinley High in Lima. Thank you for letting me audition. I love music and hope to be considered as a member of the Warblers.", he said with hopeful eyes.
"We need to vote on it, Blaine. So if you wouldn't mind stepping out into the hallway for just a moment, we will do just that.", David said.
"Sure. Thank you for your time.", Blaine said with a hopeful smile.
As Blaine stepped into the hallway and sat down on the bench against the wall, Nick said, "All in favor of Blaine Anderson joining the Warblers; please raise your hand."
It didn't take long for every hand in the room to be raised. Nick then said, "It is unanimous, I will go get him and we will let him know."
Nick opened the door and asked Blaine to come back in. Once Blaine stepped inside the room, Nick turned to him and said, "With a vote of twenty-five to zero, you are now a Member of the Warblers. Congratulations Blaine!"
"Thank you everyone. I promise that I won't let you down." Blaine said with a smile as everyone came to congratulate him with hugs and pats on the back.
"Okay guys let him breathe, get a set list ready and we will start practice in the morning. Blaine could I speak to you in my office please, I need to get some information about you put into your Warbler file.", Nick said as he walked into the office.
Blaine followed Nick to the office and sat down in one of the chairs. Nick looked at him and asked, "Blaine, how old are you?"
"I am sixteen. I will be seventeen in three months.", Blaine said.
"How are you allowed to perform at Scandals? You are not old enough to enter the club.", Nick said.
"My cousin is married to the owner and there is a written contract between her and my mom. The contract states that she will not serve me alcohol and if I handle any alcohol, whether it is to serve or consume, I am done performing at Scandals until I am twenty-one. I use the money I make performing to help my mom pay household bills."
"What is your schedule at Scandals? Will it affect your schedule as a Warbler?", Nick asked.
"I work evenings, from seven to midnight, but it won't affect my schedule as a Warbler. I will work my Scandals schedule around my Warbler schedule. Rachel will understand, she went to NYADA and played Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway. I am a Warbler first and foremost.", Blaine said with a smile.
"I am glad to hear that.", Nick said as he shook Blaine's hand.
****************************************WelcomeToDalton******************************************
Lunch came and Nick went to the Faculty break room. Sitting at their usual table was Kurt and Jeff talking. Nick walked in and sat down next to Jeff and said, "You will never guess who joined the Warblers today."
"Who?", Jeff asked.
Nick looked at Jeff and said, "Blaine Anderson. He is the guy that was performing at Scandals the night we went to talk to Kurt about Sebastian."
Then Nick looked at Kurt and he was whiter than he has ever been. Nick smiled and asked, "Do you know Blaine Anderson, Kurt?"
"Yeah. He is the new transfer student from McKinley High School.", Kurt said as he looked over at Jeff and continued, "He is the student that Dean Goolsby was harassing me to contact about his scholarship. Dean Goolsby is paying his way in full so he can attend Dalton Academy."
"Wow he must be really good if Dean Goolsby wants him here. How did he sound Nicky?", Jeff asked.
"He was amazing. Didn't you hear him at Scandals baby?", Nick asked.
"No, I was more worried about Kurt.", Jeff said as he put his hand on Kurt's hand.
"Well maybe we could go to Scandals on Friday and hear him perform.", Nick said as he kissed Jeff's cheek.
"It's a date.", Jeff said as he blushed.
Kurt thought, Blaine is going to perform on Friday at Scandals? I wanted to take Blaine to 'Friday night dinner' with dad and then spend some alone time with him at home. He realized that he was lost in thought when he heard Nick say, "... it was a unanimous vote of twenty-five to zero for him to join the Warblers. Hell I even voted for him to join."
"What was his audition song?", Kurt asked.
"Are you okay, Kurt? I already said that he sang P!nk's 'Perfect'. Where is your head at today?", Nick asked.
"Sorry. I am fine. I was thinking about something I need to tell my dad today.", Kurt said with a forced smile.
****************************************WelcomeToDalton******************************************
Kurt, Nick and Jeff went separate ways after lunch. Nick and Jeff headed out to the Faculty parking lot because they had free period fifth hour and wanted some alone time. Kurt, on the other hand, started walking to his fifth hour class when he noticed his boyfriend at the locker next to his door. Kurt smiled and said, "Hi Blaine. How are your classes so far?"
"Hi Mr. Hummel. My classes are going great. I auditioned to join the Warblers first hour and they accepted me with open arms. I can't wait until my last class because it is dance and I love to dance, especially with you." Blaine said with a flirty smile.
Kurt gave his a stern look.
"However, my next class I am super excited about.", Blaine continued without seeing Kurt's stern look.
"Why is that?", Kurt asked with a curious look.
"Because you are my teacher. I want to learn everything from you Mr. Hummel.", Blaine said with a wink.
"Blaine, we discussed this. No flirting on school grounds. We can't afford for this to get out.", Kurt said in a hushed tone.
"I am sorry, it won't happen again.", Blaine said as he went into the classroom.
Blaine sat in the front seat in the middle of the room and waited for class to start. Kurt walked in and looked at the hurt look on Blaine's face as he passed in front of him.
"Get your homework out and pass it to the front of the room. By the way, we have a new student among us today, his name is Blaine Anderson and he transferred here from McKinley High in Lima. Blaine please come up and tell the class a little bit about yourself, while I take roll.", Kurt said as he reached out for Blaine's hand.
"As Mr. Hummel said, I am Blaine Anderson and I transferred from McKinley High because of bullying. You see, last year I was beaten up by bullies because I am shorter than everyone. My dad saw the bruises, so I told him what happened. He contacted the school and had a meeting with all the bullies parents." Kurt got done taking roll and was proud of what he heard Blaine say about his dad. Blaine continued, "Then the bullies went on an emotional rampage and started calling me names; like snitch, gayboy as well as others too graphic to mention. I didn't tell my dad what was happening because I didn't want to be bullied anymore so I pretended everything was better. On my birthday, my sister told my dad that she overheard someone call me gay-boy and she thought he should know. So my dad confronted me about it and I told him, gay-boy doesn't bother me because its the most accurate term to describe me." Kurt was shocked that his boyfriend didn't tell him any of this during their private time. Kurt was learning more about Blaine than he imagined so he went to his desk as he and the class watched him as he told them what happened next.
"My dad asked me what that meant and I told him that I am gay. My dad was surprised but he didn't react negatively like I thought he would. He just reached out and pulled me into his arms and said, 'I love you no matter what. You are who you are and no one or nothing can change that.' Later that day, my dad got a phone call from the doctor asking him to come to the office as soon as possible. My dad and mom went and left me to watch my brothers and sister. When they came back home, mom was crying and dad had a worried look on his face.", Blaine said.
Kurt knew what was going to be said next and he watched the class to see their reaction to the rest of Blaine's introduction.
"I asked my dad what was wrong and he sent my five year old twin brothers upstairs before sitting down on the sofa with me and my sister. He told us that he has stage four pancreatic cancer and the doctor gave him six months to live but he died in less than four months, on May 30. During the summer, my mom and I did odd jobs to pay bills because my dad was the only bread winner of the household and we didn't have any income. She finally got hired at Breadstix as a waitress. I helped around the house and worked anywhere I could for little cash. When school started again, word got out that I was a homosexual and the bullying started again. This time they knew my father wouldn't save me because he was gone and they used that as fuel to get to my emotions even more. That is why I decided to transfer to Dalton, if any of you have a problem with me being gay please let me know now and I will confront the issue. I don't want to be the butt of anyone's homophobia or bullying. Thank you for listening to my life story. Any questions, comments or remarks?", Blaine asked as he looked around the room.
A student in the back of the room raised his hand as Blaine pointed to him and said, "Yes, you in the back."
"First of all, my dearest condolences to you and your family at the loss of your dad. However, I want to congratulate you on changing your life where it's better for you. As you know we have a Zero Tolerance Bullying Policy enforced here at Dalton Academy. If anyone bullies you in any way please tell a staff member or a friend and we will make sure that person (or persons) are reprimanded. I would also like to congratulate you on becoming the latest member of the Warblers. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask me because I am the Dalton Academy Student Council President.", Wes said as he walked to the front of the room to shake Blaine's hand.
"Thank you and you are?", Blaine asked.
"My name is Wes, Wes Montgomery.", he said with a smile.
"I am sorry that I took a lot of time telling my story, Mr. Hummel. Please don't fail me for doing so." Blaine said as he looked at Kurt with a smile.
"That won't be a problem, Blaine. I only grade on papers and clothing styles and so far you have an A for your clothing style." Kurt said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Hummel.", Blaine said as he went to sit down in the front row.
"Speaking of grades, your grades are posted and if you want to see where you stand come see me after class. Before class ends, I want to tell you what your assignment is that is due on Friday. I need you to continue reading chapter four in the 'Becoming a Fashion Designer' textbook and do the quiz at the end of the chapter. I want to see drawings as well if the questions on the quiz ask for it. If you want grades come to my desk, otherwise class is dismissed.", Kurt said.
****************************************WelcomeToDalton******************************************
Song in this Chapter:
Perfect
Performed by Glee
Written by P!nk, Shellback and Max Martin